Golf Course Rises From Navy Base Remains

A Golf Management Company Rescued The Once-military Nine-hole Course And Opened It To The Public.

February 10, 2000|By Gwyneth K. Shaw of The Sentinel Staff

For years, what's now known as the Boggy Creek Golf Club was a well-kept Orlando secret - and for good reason.

The nine-hole course near Orlando International Airport was part of the Navy's McCoy Annex, and therefore open only to military personnel.

When the annex, and the course, closed for good in November 1998, the Meadowbrook Golf Group Inc. was waiting. Workers went to the course on a Sunday morning, allowing it to remain open without interruption.

``We signed the deal at the 11th hour,'' said Greg Christo- vich, Meadowbrook's regional manager for Florida. ``When the Navy pulled out, we borrowed a cash drawer from one of our other clubs to keep the place open.''

More than a year later, Meadowbrook has invested more than $200,000 in the course. Greens fees are higher than the paltry $5 of the Navy days: $15 for Florida residents for nine holes with a cart during the week, and $20 for 18 holes; and $18 and $25, respectively, on weekends. It's $5 more for out-of-state residents.

The revamped course has drawn raves from city officials, and aside from the occasional grumble about the cost, has impressed former patrons, Christovich said.

Among the improvements at the course are a number of moves designed to boost the quality of the grass, along with new carts. Because the company is spending so much on the upgrades, the city isn't charging any rent for the current contract, which expires in November.

``When we renegotiate, I imagine there will be some rent considerations,'' he said.

Meadowbrook also runs Kissimmee Bay and Poinciana Golf and Racquet Club in Osceola County, Winter Springs Golf Club and Twin Rivers Golf Club in Seminole County, and Bella Vista Gold and Yacht Club in Lake County. The company, which recently entered into an agreement to run another former military course in Jacksonville, usually takes on courses that are slightly worn at the edges, Christovich said - they cost less up front and have more potential for growth.

The company also hopes the location, between Boggy Creek Road and the airport, will be a prime one as development continues to boom in the area.

But for the time being, the golf club is simply trying to get the message out that it's there, Christovich said. Once the first round of improvements was completed, the club began marketing itself as an inexpensive option in southeast Orlando.

``It's a frontier of sorts,'' he said. ``Once the base was set for closing, they [the Navy) basically stopped doing anything. But we've made an investment of this facility, thinking we're going to be around for some time.''